The prevalence of strong brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Budweiser, and Marlboro in “vice” categories has important implications for regulators and consumers. While researchers in multiple disciplines have studied the effectiveness of anti-tobacco counter-marketing strategies, little...

Hoarding of staples has long worried policymakers due to concerns about shortages. We quantify how sticky store prices --- delayed price adjustment to shocks by reputable retailers --- exacerbate hoarding. When prices are sticky, households hoard not only for precautionary motives but also...